U.S. patent application number 12/160518 was filed with the patent office on 2010-08-12 for engine compartment shielding.
This patent application is currently assigned to RIETER TECHNOLOGIES AG. Invention is credited to Hermann De Ciutiis, Philippe Pierre Godano, Selamet Kose, Dirk Lehmann, Michel Viktorovich.
Application Number | 20100200320 12/160518 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36581681 |
Filed Date | 2010-08-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100200320 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lehmann; Dirk ; et
al. |
August 12, 2010 |
ENGINE COMPARTMENT SHIELDING
Abstract
A lightweight engine compartment shielding (1) is suitable for
increasing the passenger's acoustic and climatic comfort. This
compartment shielding is mounted on to the car body of the engine
compartments and completely covers the engine compartment in one
part or in several partitions. The compartment shielding (1) is
build up as a self-supporting double-walled assembly comprising an
upper-shell (2), an under-shell (3) and an airspace (5) in
between.
Inventors: |
Lehmann; Dirk;
(Niederneunforn, CH) ; Godano; Philippe Pierre;
(Winterthur, CH) ; De Ciutiis; Hermann;
(Winterthur, CH) ; Kose; Selamet; (Winterthur,
CH) ; Viktorovich; Michel; (Winterthur, CH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DORITY & MANNING, P.A.
POST OFFICE BOX 1449
GREENVILLE
SC
29602-1449
US
|
Assignee: |
RIETER TECHNOLOGIES AG
WINTERTHUR
CH
|
Family ID: |
36581681 |
Appl. No.: |
12/160518 |
Filed: |
January 13, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
January 13, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP07/00283 |
371 Date: |
April 5, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
180/68.3 ;
180/69.22 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 13/0838 20130101;
B60R 2021/343 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
180/68.3 ;
180/69.22 |
International
Class: |
B60K 13/02 20060101
B60K013/02; F02B 77/11 20060101 F02B077/11 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 13, 2006 |
EP |
06000686.3 |
Claims
1. Light weight engine compartment shielding for increasing the
passengers acoustic and climatic comfort (noise, temperature), for
reducing the over all energy consumption of the car and for
increasing the aesthetic appearance of the engine compartment and
the ease of routine maintaining operations, whereto the compartment
shielding covers the engine compartment in one part or in several
partitions, so as to store heat for reducing velocity of
temperature drop and for allowing reduction of emissions at engine
re-start, whereto the compartment shielding is build up as a
self-supporting double-walled assembly comprising an upper-shell,
an under-shell and an airspace in between, and whereto the
compartment shielding is chassis mounted, i.e. is mounted onto the
car body of the engine compartment, so as to reduce chimney
effects, i.e. to reduce escaping of hot air in vertical direction
along the compartment boundary.
2. Engine compartment shielding in accordance with claim 1,
characterised in that the double-walled assembly consists of a
light-weight material, in particular of a non-metallic
material.
3. Engine compartment shielding in accordance with claim 1,
characterised in that the compartment shielding comprises a sealing
means to reduce chimney-effects.
4. Engine compartment shielding in accordance with claim 3,
characterised in that the sealing means comprise faying surfaces
and/or an elastic sealing band.
5. Engine compartment shielding in accordance with claim 1,
characterised in that the compartment shielding comprises a heat
insulation means.
6. Engine compartment shielding in accordance with claim 5,
characterised in that the heat insulating means comprises a
metallic structure and/or a carbon nonwoven.
7. Engine compartment shielding in accordance with claim 5,
characterised in that the heat insulating means comprises a heat
reflective surface.
8. Engine compartment shielding in accordance with claim 5,
characterised in that the heat insulating means is located inside
of the double-walled assembly in order to avoid a degradation of
performance due to dirt accumulation.
9. Engine compartment shielding in accordance with claim 1,
characterised in that the compartment shielding comprises a cooling
means, in particular an air flow guiding means for cooling the
engine compartment and aggregates during driving conditions in
order to avoid overheating by forcing the air to flow through the
compartment.
10. Engine compartment shielding in accordance with claim 9,
characterised in that the air flow guiding means comprises at least
an air duct which during driving conditions selectively discharges
the air trapped inside the engine compartment.
11. Engine compartment shielding in accordance with claim 1,
characterised in that the compartment shielding comprises a sound
absorbing means.
12. Engine compartment shielding in accordance with claim 11,
characterised in that the under-shell of this shielding consists at
least partially of an open-pored fibres- and/or foam-material.
13. Engine compartment shielding in accordance with claim 12,
characterised in that this open-pored fibres- and/or foam-material
is a multi-layer material.
14. Engine compartment shielding in accordance with claim 12,
characterised in that an additional sound absorbing means is
located inside of the double-walled assembly.
15. Engine compartment shielding in accordance with claim 1,
characterised in that the compartment shielding comprises at least
partially one or more pedestrian protective crash pad means.
16. Engine compartment shielding in accordance with claim 15,
characterised in that this pedestrian protective crash pad means
comprises at least partially a passive protective structure, in
particular a thermoset foam material or a honey-comb-like
structure.
17. Engine compartment shielding in accordance with claim 15,
characterised in that this pedestrian protective crash pad means
comprises at least partially an active protective device, in
particular an air bag device.
18. Engine compartment shielding in accordance with claim 1,
characterised in that the compartment shielding comprises closable
openings for routine maintaining operations.
19. Engine compartment shielding in accordance with claim 18,
characterised in that the compartment shielding is trendy styled,
in particular comprises areas and/or markings in different colours
to increase the aesthetic appearance of the engine compartment
shielding and to increase the ease of routine maintaining
operations.
20. Engine compartment shielding in accordance with claim 1,
characterised in that the compartment shielding comprises a
partition being affixed to the engine bonnet for closing the engine
compartment.
21. Engine compartment shielding in accordance with claim 20,
characterised in that the partition being affixed to the engine
bonnet comprises a plastics aggregate separation wall, in
particular a water box.
22. Engine compartment shielding in accordance with claim 1,
characterised in that the compartment shielding comprises an air
intake device or a part of such an air intake device.
23. Engine compartment shielding in accordance with claim 22,
characterised in that at least one of the shells of the engine
compartment shielding partially forms one of the walls of the air
intake device.
24. Engine compartment shielding in accordance with claim 23,
characterised in that the air intake device or a part of the air
intake device comprises sidewalls connecting the two shells and
being part of the lower and upper shell.
25. Engine compartment shielding in accordance with claim 24,
characterised in that in the sidewalls are impervious and/or
comprise porous material.
Description
[0001] Present invention is concerned with a light weight engine
compartment shielding in accordance with the preamble of claim
1.
[0002] Well known developments in the automotive industry aim to
reduce the noise generated and emitted by the engine and components
related thereto. In particular it is known in the art to provide
noise or sound generating components of vehicles with a sound
damping cover. A typical embodiment of such a sound damping cover
is described in DE-10,2005,014,535. This document discloses in
particular a mounting attachment for a motor covering part, which
mounting attachment is provided with decoupling elements, which
should avoid any vibration excitation of the covering part itself.
The motor covering part is additionally designed to esthetical
shield the free view to the motor. A more detailed description of a
similar motor covering part combining esthetical aspects and sound
absorptive properties is disclosed in DE-10,2004,007,602.
[0003] Recent embodiments of such motor covering parts combine
other technical functions with the sound absorptive properties of
these parts. Such a motor covering part is described in
DE-103,14,220. The motor covering part disclosed in this document
comprises a carrier element carrying on its inner side a sound
absorbing layer and on its outer side a pedestrian impact
protective cushion.
[0004] Covers combining sound absorptive layers and impact
protective cushions are known in the art, for instance from
FR-2,851,973 or DE-101,21,683 and successfully integrated in
today's cars.
[0005] All these motor covering parts comprise a supporting element
which is mounted on the motor itself and are carrying additional
functional elements. It is evident that such motor covering
assemblies are increasing the over all weight of the car and
therewith are increasing the over all energy consumption of the
car.
[0006] DE-198,25,739 proposes an acoustical cover which is mounted
onto a housing encapsulating the motor in order to shield the sound
emitted by the engine and some of its components. In addition this
cover is carrying a peripheral component of the engine, in
particular a metallic component of a venting means for a
turbocharger, comprising a plurality of ribs and is welded to the
metallic cover. This assembly is at the same time shielding the
direct view to the engine, but is not particularly suitable to be
esthetical stylable and bears the risk of a heat overload
(overheating) during driving conditions. Such a heat overload is
leading to overheat damages of the engine and its components.
Although this construction allows to completely cover the engine,
this metallic construction is not suitable to store heat during
non-driving conditions. This construction allows the reduction of
noise emitted by the engine but is becoming heavy and clumsy, in
particular when additional means for different technical functions
are added.
[0007] Therefore it is the main object of present invention to
achieve an esthetical stylisable, multifunctional and lightweight
assembly, which not only reduces noise emitted by the motor and by
the components of the engine compartment but which allows a
lightweight integration of further technical functions, such as
thermal management means, sound absorbing means and pedestrian
impact protective means. It is the goal of the invention to achieve
a light weight and trendy stylable compartment shielding for
increasing the passengers acoustic and climatic comfort (noise,
temperature), for optimising starting and restarting conditions of
the engine and its components and therefore for reducing the over
all energy consumption, over all emission and over all wear of the
car's components, and for increasing the aesthetic appearance of
the engine compartment and the ease of routine maintaining
operations.
[0008] This object is achieved by a light weight engine compartment
shielding comprising the features of claim 1. In particular this
shielding covers the engine compartment in one part or in several
partitions, so as to store heat. The ability to store heat within
the engine compartment leads to a quicker heat-up of the engine,
allows reduction of emissions at engine re-start, and therefore to
a less over all wear of the engine and its components, and last but
not least allows an accelerated warm-up of the passengers
compartment. In order to store heat the engine compartment
according to the invention is build-up as a self-supporting
double-walled assembly comprising an upper-shell, an under-shell
and an airspace in between. In addition this compartment shielding
is chassis mounted, i.e. is mounted onto the car body of the engine
compartment, so as to reduce chimney-effects, i.e. to reduce the
amount of hot air escaping in vertical direction along the
compartment boundary. It is important for the understanding of
present invention, that this chimney-effect-free shielding and
double-walled construction reduces the velocity of the temperature
drop within the engine compartment after an operating phase. This
allows to restart the car under still warmed-up conditions after a
stop of several hours. In particular the heat storing capability of
present shielding leads to a reduction of cold-start and restart
emissions due to an improved start temperature increase and due to
an elevated restart temperature of the engine, the various
aggregates and its fluids (oils, etc.). The said improved
temperature behaviour further leads to a reduction of fuel
consumption and a reduced wear of all engine parts such as the gear
box, the cylinder heads, catalysts, etc.
[0009] It is an important aspect of present invention that the
double-walled assembly essentially consists of light-weight
materials which preferably is a non-metallic material in order to
reduce the heat transmission loss. Of course hybrid materials
combining non-metallic and metallic materials may be used. Suitable
light-weight materials are any plastics materials, preferably EPO
(expanded polyolefin), PP, GMT or SMC, in particular any thermoset
or thermoplastics materials. In a preferred embodiment the
under-shell essentially consists of a fibrous and/or foamed
material exhibiting a given airflow resistance. Suitable non-woven
materials are known in the technical field as KEST products.
[0010] A further important aspect of the invention is the reduction
of chimney effects, i.e. the reduction of hot air escaping from the
engine compartment. Therefore present engine compartment shielding
comprises a sealing means to reduce chimney effects. In particular
this sealing means comprise faying surfaces and/or elastic sealing
bands along the edge or border line between the shielding and the
car body of the engine compartment. It appears that these sealing
bands additionally are decoupling the compartment shielding from
the car body's vibrations what is advantageous for acoustic
reasons.
[0011] In order to improve the heat storing capability of the
compartment shielding this shielding further comprises a heat
insulation means, and in particular an airspace between upper-shell
and under-shell of the self-supporting double-walled assembly.
Nevertheless, this space may be at least partially filled with
other materials such as foam and/or fibres materials, in particular
a carbon non-woven. It is understood that any other materials
resisting the heat are suitable as heat insulation means, in
particular phenolic felt, glass or ceramic fibres, melamine or
polyester felt etc. In a preferred embodiment the compartment
shielding is comprising a metallic structure, i.e. a metallic foil
such as an aluminium foil with a heat reflective surface. This foil
is preferably affixed to the inner surface of the upper-shell in
order to be protected against dust and/or dirt and/or mechanical
damages leading to a degradation of its heat reflective
performance.
[0012] Furthermore, the engine compartment shielding in accordance
with the invention comprises an airflow guiding means for cooling
the engine compartment and aggregates during driving conditions.
This cooling is important in order to avoid overheating and is
achieved by means forcing the air to flow through the compartment.
Typically, these means are comprising at least an air duct which
during driving conditions selectively discharges the air trapped
inside the engine compartment. It is understood that this airflow
guiding means are comprising any kind of passive and/or active
measurements, such as simple guiding plates being movable
(shutters) or affixed (deflectors), as well as sophisticated
ventilator systems (fans). These means help to cool the aggregates
during critical conditions and are mainly directed to the region
between engine and dash where most of the hot air is trapped.
[0013] It is another important aspect of present invention to
achieve improved acoustic properties. This is accomplished mainly
by the over all covering of the engine compartment and by using a
double-walled assembly. In addition the shielding in accordance
with the invention further comprises specific sound absorbing
means. In particular the under-shell of this shielding consists at
least partially of an open-pored fibres- and/or foam-material which
features a given air flow resistance in the range of 100 to 10,000
Nsm.sup.-3. Preferable this open-pored fibres- and/or foam-material
is a multi-layer material. Furthermore present shielding allows to
additionally locate specific sound absorbing materials inside of
the double-walled assembly. These additional sound absorbing
materials as well the air flow resistance properties of the
under-shell may be uniformly or discontinuously distributed over
the entire area.
[0014] An additional important aspect of present invention is the
integration of one or more pedestrian protective crash pad means.
This means comprises at least partially a passive protective
structure which is integrated in the upper-shell, in particular a
thermoset or thermoplastic foam material. In another embodiment
these passive protective structures, in particular a
honey-comb-like structure is affixed in between the upper- and
under-shell of the self-supporting double-walled assembly. The
crash energy absorption is also provided by bending forces and/or
shear forces acting to the upper-shell. The double-walled assembly
allows to locally arrange and/or integrate impact energy absorptive
materials at critical areas, i.e. areas being close to the engine
or other dangerous aggregates. In particular these pedestrian
protective crash pad means allow to save compartment space and to
arrange the compartment shielding as close as possible (up to 2 cm)
to the motor bonnet and to design a slim front part of the vehicle.
As a matter of course this pedestrian protective crash pad means
may comprise at least partially an active protective device, in
particular an air bag device.
[0015] Yet another important aspect of the present invention is the
simple stylability and manifold design potential which is
facilitated on both sides of the double-walled assembly. In
particular the plastics material of the upper-shell allows the
compartment shielding to be trendy styled. A preferred embodiment
of the shielding comprises areas and/or markings in different
colours to increase the aesthetic appearance and to increase the
ease of routine maintaining operations. It is understood that not
only different colours, pattern and/or images may be used but also
different surface texture properties may be applied. Furthermore
the engine compartment shielding comprises closable openings for
routine maintaining operations such as measuring the oil level
and/or the battery charge, refilling oil and/or wind screen
cleaning water, testing electronic devices, etc.
[0016] In an additional embodiment of the invention the compartment
shielding comprises a partition which is affixed to the engine
bonnet. This separate partition is lift off when the motor bonnet
is opened and is fittingly closing the engine compartment shielding
when the motor bonnet is closed. Such a partition may comprise a
plastics aggregate separation wall, in particular for a water
box.
[0017] The advantages of above esthetical engine compartment
shielding are evident for the man skilled in the art. In particular
the present invention allows to manufacturing a stylable and an
esthetical satisfying multifunctional and lightweight assembly,
which completely eliminates noise generated and emitted by the
components located in the engine compartment and which allows a
lightweight integration of other technical features, such as
thermal management means, pedestrian impact protective means and
crash energy absorptive means.
[0018] In the following the present invention will become more
apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment
in connection with the accompanying drawings which show in:
[0019] FIG. 1: a perspective view of the top side of the
double-walled engine compartment shielding according to the
invention;
[0020] FIG. 2: a perspective view of the top side of the
under-shell of the double-walled engine compartment shielding
according to the invention;
[0021] FIG. 3: a diagram for a typical temperature behaviour of the
engine compartment temperature during a common driving
situation.
[0022] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the top side of a fictive
engine compartment shielding 1 according to the invention. This
shielding 1 comprises an upper-shell 2 and an under-shell 3. Theses
two shells 2, 3 are spaced apart to form an airspace 5 and fixed to
each other by gluing or melting along their border lines 4. In
order to completely cover the engine compartment the shielding 1 is
mounted to the car body 7 of the engine compartment and may
comprise several shielding partitions 6', 6''. In a preferred
embodiment the shielding 1 is tightly attached to the engine
compartment by fastener means 13. Sealing means (not shown) may be
provided between the car body 7 and the shielding 1, which sealing
means is designed such that the vibrations of the car body 7 are
decoupled from the shielding 1. The shielding 1 according to the
invention comprises recesses 9, 10 which allow maintenance
services, for instance refilling motor oil and/or for contacting
the battery 12. It is self-evident that these recesses 9, 10 are
closable by service part closures 8', 8''. A cooling vent 11' is
provided at the front side in order to guide cooling air to a
region where trapped hot air has to be removed.
[0023] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the fictive top side of
an under-shell 3 of the double-walled shielding 1. This under-shell
comprises recesses 9' to allow the access to components located in
the engine compartment such as a motor oil refill neck or a battery
12. This under-shell 3 is preferably designed such that the hot air
of the engine compartment is trapped in specific regions and mainly
follows the contour 15 of the arrangement of motor block and its
aggregates. In addition, this under-shell comprises airflow guiding
means 14, 11'' which separate and guide the incoming cooling air to
different regions.
[0024] The diagram of FIG. 3 shows a typical behaviour of the
temperature within the engine compartment during a common driving
situation. As example this common driving situation is represented
by the curve a) in FIG. 3 and comprises a first driving phase I., a
parking phase II. and a second driving phase III. Starting the
first driving phase I at a time t.sub.0 the standby temperature
T.sub.0 of the engine compartment is increasing. After a time
t.sub.2 the operating temperature T.sub.B (Betriebstemperatur) is
received and the temperature within the engine compartment stays at
this level. After having parked the car at the time t.sub.3 the
stopped engine starts to cool down until it has received the
standby temperature T.sub.0 at the time t.sub.4. Commonly this
standby temperature T.sub.0 is received after about half an hour.
At the end of the parking phase II at the time t.sub.5 the
temperature behaviour of the second driving phase III looks similar
to the behaviour during the first driving phase I, i.e. increasing
until the operating temperature T.sub.B is received at the time
t.sub.7.
[0025] The results of test measurements of a engine compartment
comprising a shielding in accordance with this invention are
represented by the curve b) in FIG. 3. This curve shows that the
temperature within the engine compartment starting from T.sub.0 at
the time t.sub.0 receives the operating temperature T.sub.B at a
time t.sub.1<t.sub.2. On the other hands the temperature drops
during the parking phase II from the operating temperature T.sub.B
at the time t.sub.3 to a restart temperature T.sub.F at the time
t.sub.5. It becomes evident from this temperature behaviour
represented by this curve b) that the duration of the starting
phase A is shorter than the starting phase (t.sub.2-t.sub.0)
represented by curve a). The advantages of reaching the operating
temperature in short time are obvious for the man skilled in the
art and explained above in more detail. Observing the restarting
phase D of the curve b) it becomes clear that the duration
(t.sub.6-t.sub.5) of this restarting phase D is even shorter than
the duration of the starting phase (t.sub.2-t.sub.0).
[0026] The advantages of present invention are apparent to the man
skilled in the art and have to be seen in the engine compartment
border supported double shell concept mainly. This chassis mounted
double shell concept further allows to integrate a plurality of
advantageous functions. In particular this shielding improves cold
start and re-start conditions, for instance of the engine itself,
of aggregates and fluids, of the battery, of the catalyst converter
etc., what typically leads to a substantive increase of the
lifetime of these components. A further advantage is to be seen in
increasing the rapidity of interior heating capability (increase of
the comfort index PMV) and in the reduction of fuel consumption
(3-5%). Furthermore the over all shielding allows to eliminate any
shadowing effect of the acoustic absorption properties on the
engine hood. The sound absorption of low to medium frequencies is
substantially increased and direct sound leakage is minimised.
Furthermore the structure born excitation of the shielding is
reduced, thanks to the non-engine support, i.e. the chassis support
of the shielding. This as well increases the lifetime, performance
and construction simplicity of the shielding. The local integration
of reliable pedestrian protective crash pads leads to cost and
weight benefits and a substantial saving of compartment space
allowing to design a slim front part of the vehicle. In addition
the present invention allows to manufacturing an easily stylable
and an esthetical satisfying multifunctional and lightweight
assembly which in addition is easy to dismantle at the end of its
lifetime and to recycle. This shielding not only allows to reduce
the all over weight and costs but also serves the ease and
complaisance of the passenger. In particular this shielding
improves the safety of the person executing routine maintaining
operations insofar that no metallic tools, burning cigarettes,
drinks and/or personal objects as glasses or pens may fall into the
compartment and cause damages.
* * * * *